Bashiru Lamidi Apapa Assumes Leadership Of Labour Party Following Supreme Court Ruling.
Bashiru Lamidi Apapa has officially assumed the leadership of the Labour Party in an acting capacity, following the Supreme Court’s judgement that removed Julius Abure as National Chairman of the opposition party.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Apapa stated that the court’s ruling on 4 April 2025 rendered Abure’s leadership null and void. Citing Article 14 2(a)(b) of the Labour Party constitution, Apapa declared himself the most senior deputy national chairman and, therefore, the legitimate acting leader of the party.
“I, Alhaji Bashiru Lamidi Apapa, the most senior deputy national chairman, hereby take over the running of the affairs of our great party with effect from today, Wednesday, 9 April 2025, in an acting capacity, with Alhaji Farouk Umar Ibrahim as National Secretary,” he announced.
Apapa emphasised that all actions and decisions made by Abure since 4 April 2023 now carry no legal weight, in line with the court’s pronouncement.
He further disclosed that a National Working Committee (NWC) meeting has been scheduled for Monday, 14 April 2025. Among the key agenda items will be the zoning of leadership positions — with plans to allocate the position of National Chairman to the North and the National Secretary to the South.
In a move aimed at reinvigorating the party’s internal structures, Apapa also revealed plans to revive the Board of Trustees and make it fully functional again.
“We are putting in place arrangements for Ward, Local Government, State Congresses, and a National Convention, where all financial members will have full participatory rights,” he said.
The members of the NWC who are to attend the upcoming meeting include:
– Mr Ladi Iliya, Deputy National Chairman (NLC)
– Dr Ayo Olorunfemi, Deputy National Chairman (TUC)
– Alhaji Umar Farouq Ibrahim, National Secretary
– Barrister Oyelekan Akingbade, National Legal Adviser
– Dr Abayomi Arabambi, National Publicity Secretary
Apapa’s declaration marks a significant shift in the leadership dynamics of the Labour Party, as the party prepares to chart a new course following the court’s decisive ruling.
